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Theoretical confirmation of Ga-stabilized anti-ferromagnetism in plutonium metal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2014

Per Söderlind
Affiliation:
Condensed Matter and Materials Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
Alex Landa
Affiliation:
Condensed Matter and Materials Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
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Abstract

The density-functional-theory model for plutonium metal is shown to be consistent with recent magnetic measurements that suggest anti-ferromagnetism in Pu-Ga alloys at low temperatures. The theoretical model predicts a stabilization of the face-centered-cubic (fcc, δ) form of plutonium in an anti-ferromagnetic configuration when alloyed with gallium. The ordered magnetic phase occurs because Ga removes the mechanical instability that exists for unalloyed δ-Pu. The cause of the Ga-induced stabilization is a combination of a lowering of the band (kinetic) and electrostatic (Coulomb) energies for the cubic relative to the tetragonal phase.

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Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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References

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